From the Sidelines

Hockey days are here

I’m glad that the saying “I was watching hockey and a game broke out” isn’t true for kids leagues.  My boys follow the sports calendars and last week was the beginning of the NHL season.  So, instead of watching a movie on the weekends, they have ESPN on and are glued to a hockey game.  I will have to say, collisions aside, there is something elegant about the professional players skating on the ice. Of course, with several of their friends playing on teams, this is not the only fill of hockey that they get.

In a few weeks, my son’s friends will have games of their own at the area rinks.  In years past, we have gone to catch a couple games every season.  Although not quite as graceful (or rough for that matter), there is something enjoyable about leaving the cool autumn air for colder temperatures to sit on metal bleachers in order to watch a bunch of 12-year olds chasing a puck around.  Fortunately, the only fights I have to worry about my children seeing are the ones between coaches and parents.

It is also fortunate that Red 21 Boys has hockey and lacrosse clothing on sale and I’ll be sure to pick out a few long sleeve tees and fleece pants for the boys.  The Hockey League raglan and Stars and Stripes Athletic Pants from Wes and Willy are always a good combo.  This way I know that they will be warm even in the frigid temperatures of the hockey rink. The great thing with the Wes and Willy brand is that I know I’m getting durable comfortable clothes that even after the hockey season, my boys will want to wear again and again and the shirts and pants you can get at Red 21 won’t fall apart in the first washing.  Like I’ve said before, Red21Boys.com makes it easy for parents to shop for their boys and Wes and Willy is a long lasting product.  Besides, if your boys are as interested in sports as mine, you’ll want to save every penny on boys’ clothes for all the sports equipment that you’ll have to buy!

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Itchy Witchy

Although Halloween isn’t for a few weeks, with the new Halloween items at Red 21, I am reminded of the cool October weather, walking the neighborhood for a trick or treat.  I would ready myself for a night of running through a friend’s neighborhood, trying to collect as much candy as possible while avoiding the houses that we knew didn’t hand out our favorite candy.  We had to make sure we made the most of our few hours out.

Perhaps less fondly, I remember the cold nights after an early October snow.  On these frozen nights my mother would make me layer on the clothes both under and over my costume.  I never could seem to fit a stuffy sweater beneath my favorite super hero’s suit.  The costume’s arms and legs would bulge from the strain of too much clothing and I would constantly squirm beneath the sweatshirts on top of t-shirts beneath sweaters feeling like I was drowning in fabric.  Well, at least I never caught a cold on those nights, just a stomach ache.

With my boys, I do the same thing now.  Fortunately, thanks to Red 21 and Wes and Willy, I don’t hear the same complaints that my mother did years ago.  You can find comfortable and warm shirts and pants for boys that they don’t mind wearing.  This makes the trips around the neighborhood a little more enjoyable on those cold nights. I can watch them run up and down the streets in search of the house with the best candy instead of hobbling along because they can’t bend their knees. With the internet and Red 21 Boys, I won’t hear my boys complain about being and itchy, just that they didn’t get enough candy.

 

Happy shopping and happy Halloween!

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Fall Festivals

    Falling leaves, tailgating, holidays.  Many things come with the first days of autumn, but the one

event that seems to be almost universal is the fall festivals.  Whether it’s in your neighborhood, school, or city, there is at least one or two fairs happening every weekend it seems.

            My neighborhood is no different.  Nearly every public or private school is hosting a carnival or festival of some sort.  As the cool and damp weather approaches, they all hope that perfect weather will last through their festival. But with Wes and Willy clothes from RED 21 Boys, I always know I can take my children and keep them comfortable in the changing temperatures of fall.  When the fairs are threatened by cold and rainy weather, I have my boys dressed in jeans and long sleeve tees maybe with a hoodie thrown on to keep the rain off their heads. But if the weather’s nice enough I’ll have them wear one of the short sleeved tees that are on sale this time of the year. My oldest boy especially loves the Baseball Helmet t-shirt.

            While they get to run around with all their friends, playing carnival games and ingesting way too much sugar, I get the chance to see what all the other kids are wearing. I often recognize a few different styles from Wes and Willy mixed in with the other standard brands of children’s clothes. It’s satisfying to know that my boys not the only ones wearing a My Mom Rocks! t-shirt and that after a few minutes of playing, they won’t want change out of their clothes. Not only are all the boys clothes at RED 21 Boys durable, but comfortable for your kids too.

 

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Family Gatherings in Fall

Something about the beginning of autumn always reminds me of Sunday dinners with relatives when I was younger. It might be the first falling leaves, my children starting school or maybe the slowly cooling temperatures and the beginning of football season. Whatever the reason may be, I won't easily forget getting ready for Sunday events in autumn.  I don’t know how my parents did it, but I always had on a pair of shorts and a sweatshirt to throw on before heading to an aunt and uncles for hours of playtime in the outdoors.

Today my kids are carrying on the tradition.  When we get ready to head over to a Bar-B-Q or birthday party, my children know they can be as loud and rambunctious as they want once we get out of the car.  One part of these fun - but hectic - outings certainly is easier than when I was young, I don’t have to worry about finding the right clothes for my boys; red21boys has got them covered for the unpredictable fall temperatures.

On the warmer days, my kids can pull on athletic shorts with their favorite long sleeve shirts with great screen prints.  I know that they’ll be cool and comfortable climbing and running around the jungle gym. At night or on the cooler days, I might dress them in a pair of jeans or athletic pants with a cool Wes & Willy hoodie. No matter what the temperature or time of family outing, I know my boys are covered by the great selection at red21boys.com.

Soon we’ll be off again for another family party.  I can relax knowing that all I have to worry about this time is what dessert to bring.  With the selection of Wes & Willy boys clothing at red21boys, I know getting my kids ready will be quick and painless.  Which is great, because that means I can get there before Aunt Maude’s three bean casserole is gone.

Happy autumn and be sure to check out the great deals at www.red21boys.com!

Shopping for Boys!!

Shopping for boys is easier than you might think.  Although it may seem that boys don’t care about clothes or fashion, they do!  They might not demand a new outfit for every occasion like girls, but they do like to look cool, and most have a look of their own.  Granted, this “look” might be their “favorite” dino t with shorts every day, or anything with their favorite baseball cap, but still it reflects how they want to be seen.  Boys tend to have fewer clothes than girls, but they do have favorites and there are always those items they just won’t wear, no matter what!

My two guys definitely have a style of their own.  My youngest likes a clean preppy look.  Polos, madras shorts, cargo's, sports t’s and shoes, shoes, shoes!!  My oldest always has a favorite of the month, and once he has a favorite, it’s that or nothing!  He jumps from birds of prey to dinosaurs, space or rock n roll and then back to solids.  Seriously, everything one color...shorts, shirts, shoes, hats.... all blue or all green, or whatever color he happens to be into at the moment.  Always an adventure.

The nice thing is that there are now stores with boys as their focus rather than an after thought.  My favorite, of course, is www.red21boys.com.  I can shop for both of my boys in one stop- they can both find new favorites, even with their diverse styles.  As a mom, I love the customer service, easy return policy but most of all, the quality!  My boys play hard and their clothes need to be durable and easy care.  We have shopped at the discount stores for summer clothes and honestly, they can usually find something they like.  The problem comes after they have worn the shirts several times and the shirts have been laundered.  The colors start to fade, the fabric loses its body, and before you know it, the shirts look old.  The discount store t-shirts are less expensive than Wes and Willy,City College, red21boys or Charlie Rocket, but you are lucky if you get a whole summer out of them.  I am finding if you shop carefully and watch the sales, you can do much better buying the high quality shirts.  They look fresh and new even after one child outgrows it ~ perfect for little brothers to share! 

I do have a couple little tips for you.  For one, if you sign up for the weekly email, you get to cash in on some major savings!  Sometimes the sales are for email members only!
Another thing to keep in mind if you are a first time shopper, is that the clothes tend to run a little big, so if you are in between sizes, go smaller!

Last but not least, shop often so you don't miss out on cool new styles.  It seems that every week or so, they get new inventory.  Some are exclusive to red21boys.com!  I think that is awesome!  We love the red21boys style!

So happy shopping, enjoy your summer and your boys!!

College World Series!!

Well it's June in Omaha which can only mean one thing...the College World Series!! My son is addicted to the sport and is really quite talented, so it's a favorite part of our summer.  Here is a link to the schedule http://www.cwsomaha.com/index.php?Itemid=159&id=58081&option=com_content&task=view.   For more details on the teams, we did a little research.   It is always so exciting to have all of these great baseball fans descend on Omaha.  It's like one huge party everywhere you go!  The fans have a very positive attitude - they are here for their home teams, but enjoy all the talent on the field and are always courteous and respectful.  They'll even welcome you to their side of the street and their tail gate parties. It's really nice to share this experience with young boys who seem to think that winning is everything!

There are a few  places you really have to go when you are here for the series, like Zesto's and the Fan Fest.  The Fan Fest is full of fun, family friendly events for kids of all ages and Zesto's is all about ice cream! The food here is awesome and there is so much to do and see. There are quiet little neighborhood restaurants as well as the hot spots downtown in the Old Market .  No one is left out- there is truly something for everyone! 

When we pack up and head to the stadium, it's a given that my guys will want to wear their favorite baseball shirts from red21boys.com. Luckily, we have a few different styles, so they have lots of Wes and Willy choices!   Maybe on Sunday, they'll wear their My Dad Rocks t's for Father's Day!

So, we are off to Rosenblatt for another day of hot dogs, autographs and if we get lucky, maybe even a foul ball!  So get the shorts and t-shirts out and enjoy your summer!  There are lots of fun things to do in your neighborhood too! (and don't miss out on all the great deals at http://www.red21boys.com/default.aspx!!)

Boys play hard! 

It's almost Memorial Day and time for summer fun!

  Right about now, my guys start playing in the driveway almost every day after school and boy do they play hard! They dig out the athletic gear~ shorts, pants, t-shirts and they don't come in until it gets dark.  My youngest son is all pumped up for baseball tournaments.  He has been researching spring training and dreams of the day he'll  make the trip to Arizona.  Well, it's his dream anyway!  He spends hours throwing and catching the baseball.  I have no idea why he doesn't get bored or tired of this, but it's great watching his dedication and innovation!  He blew a hole threw his pitching net and has resorted to re-creating his soccer goal for pitching practice! 

You should've seen the mini-golf course they "created"!!  It was complete with a water hazard, sand trap and many little holes in the yard!!

And true to form, my boys want their clothes to reflect their "style" and favorite sports.  They love the rock and roll themes, dogs, and hot new swim trunks.  The American flag trunks are going to be awesome for the 4th of July!!  Better order mine soon so I don't miss out!

I have discovered that www.red21boys.com has all the styles they want... at prices a mom can love!  When you have a house full of boys who pay hard, love sports and insist on their "own look", what more you could you ask??

Bikes, Boys and Bargains!

It's March and spring is here..time to break out the bikes.  We had a few warm days and my boys wanted to get their bikes out of the garage, which was a feat in itself.  We had to dig behind the rakes and shovels, snowblowers and sleds, but there they were.... ready for the spring sunshine. 

My oldest has a cool blue Schwinn and my youngest has a red Huffy.  They fight about who has the coolest bike, but this year they have both grown and I think this will mean we need to go shopping.  I don't know why I was surprised.  We have had to visit the red21 website for new shorts, t-shirts and hoodies...why not new bikes!  Why is it so much easier to buy new boys clothes than it is to buy a bike??  There are so many choices and so many brands!  And... they are so expensive!  So, I told my boys that obviously, the youngest  would get the Schwinn and my oldest would get the new bike..only logical, but was it fair?  I told him he had to "earn" his new bike.  And he, of course, said, how?   His job was to sell the Huffy.  Now, the Huffy has been through both boys and their older cousin.. the bike is no big prize, so I thought I had a few weeks before I had to really start thinking about this.  They went out for their ride in the park and came back ready for their project.  They washed the bike and put it out in front of the house with a "For Sale" sign.  My younger son went in to play games, but my older son, the one with the incentive, sat on the porch waiting for a buyer. Well....ok, we grown ups know it doesn't quite work like that, but he was determined.  I told him to come in, that it could be at least a few days before he sold the bike ( assuming he COULD sell it!).  And still he wouldn't budge.  He did pop in for a sweatshirt and a sandwich, but otherwise he sat and sat and sat.  After awhile a dad and his son stopped.  They looked at the bike!  The little boy rode it, fell off, but he rode it.  I have no idea how he pulled it off, but somehow, my son sold the bike!!! To his first and only customer!!

So, next weekend we are going shopping I guess. I am sure you'll have more fun getting ready for spring and summer shopping for cool new boys clothes at www.redboys.com than I will shopping for a bike, but I DID promise!

Check THIS out! http://www.socialgracious.com/social_gracious/2009/03/growing-up-on-two-wheels.html

Have fun and play hard!!

Here's Comes the Sun!!

True to form, it's March and we are all thinking spring!  The days are getting longer, it's a little warmer and when it does snow, it melts faster!  We had five or six inches of snow on Friday and it's almost gone today- that is awesome!

My boys play Little League baseball.  This year they are old enough to actually pitch to each other.  This ought to be a treat! Games could last for hours now....  But, I've found some amazing information at http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm.  There is information for parents, regional news, tournament news for the serious teams and fun stuff for the boys.  It's fun to watch them interact as a team and grow as individuals.  They love their uniforms- I think they feel like little allstars when they have their "official" t-shirts on.  Very cute and makes all the time invested worthwhile.  Practice will be starting soon and there are sure to be some great stories to tell.

And as we start to dig out our baseball pants from last summer, we also remember we need our other boys clothes.  There are always favorites, but it's time to start thinking about refreshing the wardrobe with some new shorts and t-shirts.  The newest trends are plaids, peace signs and the good ol' red, white and blue patriotic look.  Red21boys looks like they are stocking up on lots of great styles for spring and summer.  My kids love the big boy style and when they love the style and feel of the clothes, they actually want to wear what I buy!! What a nice change.

So don't miss out on the sales always available at www.red21boys.com.  I promise this will make your life easier.

 Doesn't matter if you like sports, riding bikes, or playing in the park.  Get out and play hard!!

We all Have Special Needs

Happy Friday! 

Last week we received an inspiring video clip from a happy customer and it reminded me of all of the special needs kids who struggle with "something to wear!"

Some of our favorite customers sent a note commenting on the  Wes and Willy Einstein t-shirt we sent.  Their son is autistic and besides all of the other challenges they face, they also have to find comfortable boys clothing that is easy to put on and take off.  Boys love the elastic waist cargo pants at Red21boys.com.  The fit is loose, the style is hot and the elastic waists are easy on/ easy off ~ perfect for kids who struggle with small buttons and zippers. (and honestly, LOTS of boys face this same struggle!) There are cool elastic waist pants  and tops to match ~ don't miss the jeans, athletic pants and shorts in comfortable cotton twill, denim and fleece. The t-shirts are 100% cotton and the designs are the newest looks from the leaders in boys fashion. It's nice to be able to make life a little easier for a family that already faces so many challenges.

Watch for new spring shorts and swimwear!

Read the note and watch the video.  It made me smile!

"Thanks so, so much for the "Einstein" t-shirt -- he's one of our favorite autistic role models! We love Wes and Willy clothing and will continue to wear with great pride!
Mary and Abram Ritchie "

 

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/58be777132e749012ce4595b105e2c33/video/2986726